Job fair shows positive outlook locally

Wednesday

Mar 6, 2013 at 7:17 PM

Elsewhere in the U.S., young adults might anxiously wonder whether there will be jobs for them to fill.

Matthew AlbrightStaff Writer

Elsewhere in the U.S., young adults might anxiously wonder whether there will be jobs for them to fill.But, if a jam-packed job fair at Fletcher Technical Community College is any indication, Houma-Thibodaux has the opposite problem.The school’s Tuesday and Wednesday job fair featured companies and government agencies from all over the area. There were huge international oil companies, such as Shell and BP, and major contractors, such as Gulf Island Fabrication and Valourel and Mannesman Tubes. There were also representatives of the Louisiana State Police, Thibodaux Police Department and Terrebonne and Lafourche Sheriff’s offices. Fletcher took over its two-year criminal justice program from Nicholls State University two years ago, so officials there said they’re pleased to see interest from local agencies.“We’re very pleased that we have this much interest in that program because we think it’s important to the local community,” said Chancellor Travis Lavigne. “We think it’s critical that our deputies are able to upgrade their skills without having to go to Baton Rouge or New Orleans.”David Melancon of the Thibodaux Police Department was one of those recruiting Wednesday at the fair.“We think this is a great thing for this area to have,” Melancon said. “These students are getting training in the Constitution and the issues that are very important to the work of law enforcement.”Melancon said he was impressed with the turnout.“We’ve had a lot of students coming up to us, and a lot of them seem to really know what they’re talking about,” Melancon said. “We’re going to have several of them touring headquarters soon.”But, while a strong showing from law enforcement was encouraging to many students, the biggest story is the huge demand for offshore jobs. Ron Gross, a recruiter for Edison Chouest Offshore, said his company is looking to find 450 workers for jobs in everything from electrical work to welding to hydraulics.“If you can think of an offshore job, we’re hiring for it,” Gross said. “Our dilemma isn’t finding jobs for people. Our dilemma is finding good, trained workers to fill our jobs.”Gross said the country’s higher education system continues to lag behind businesses’ demand, pumping out graduates not ready to fill the jobs that are open.“We’re putting students into these just horrible debts, and so many schools are just teaching what they want to teach,” Gross said. “We really need to be getting our students the skills that industry needs.”Gross said Fletcher is “the epicenter” of his recruiting efforts because the school is emphasizing the skills his company is looking for.“This career fair is a must for us. We’re getting some really well-qualified people interested in our jobs,” he said. “Fletcher seems to be more in line with what’s actually needed.”Students interviewed at the fair on Wednesday said they were optimistic about their chances at getting a good job.“I think my chances are pretty good,” said student Ashley Billiot, who has an associate degree in criminal justice and is working on a bachelor’s degree. Billiot said Fletcher fits her well because the school focuses on the practical skills for getting a job.“My teachers were actually in law enforcement. They were out doing it,” she said. “They know people who are still in it, so they know what we need to do to get a job.”

Staff Writer Matthew Albright can be reached at 448-7635 or at matthew.albright@dailycomet.com.

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